Problem feeding again...

[jnmatthews9614]

I hate this topic because it's very exhausted and I hate to add another thread to it but I have no other choice.

Basically I got a baby ball python (male) in November, 2015. He was about 60 grams. I don't know what he was eating before (my bad, new snake owner problems) but I got him eating finally after switching to a smaller tank and making sure the temps and humidity are right. He ate for a good month and a half to two months every four days. I use petsmart frozen Mize, the small ones (only like 12 grams). I tried upgrading him to the medium sized mice (about 15 grams) when he reached 120 grams. He ate a couple times and then bam. Right when I thought he was doing good he stops eating for a month and a half.

He's down to 95 grams. So I took him to the vet last week, vet says he looks healthy and we checked for parasites and nothing. Vet says do soaks (idk why that'd help with feeding) and take him out for some sun, maybe the UVA and USB would stimulate feeding. I thought it might've worked because two days later he took a small mouse. That was four days ago, so I thought I'd give it a go again tonight. No luck.

He came out of his hide, stayed in the strike position for a good 5 minutes. Then slithered back into his hide.

His setup:
- KollerCraft Repitat Flat-Backed Reptile Habitat, 5-Gallon
- two small reptile hide boxes
- small uth on hother side controlled by hydrofarm thermostat, set to 95.
- Dome light with 25w purple night time bulb
- paper towel substrate
- water bowl
- wash rag kept wet to maintain humidity

The hot side ranges between 88-92 depending on day. The cool side and ambient ranges between 78-82 also depending on the day. I have a temp gun to check temps. One note that he is on top of my dresser which is opened multiple times a day. Also when I feed him I typically have the lights one. I tried to feed him in the dark but doesn't seem to affect him. I also take him outside in the sun for about 15 minutes or so a day.

Sorry again for another one of these but I do nothink have too much faith in this vet (even though he charged me like he's top herp vet) and he fed me the same regergitated lines that he told me last time I was there for initial check up and when he wasn't feeding well in the beginning. So sorry but any help will be appreciated!

[jnmatthews9614]

jkrballstreetjournal.com/2014

I read this article. Maybe I confused his better eating habits being due to better temp and humidity control when it really was the tank switch? Because I previously had him in like a 20 gallon tank, and I moved him thinking he needed a more secure encloser to feel safe. Also, he's only shed once since I've had him.

[stickyalvinroll]

Ball pythons are notorious bad eaters. As long he's Healthy don't worry about him not eating a few times. He'll eat when he wants to

[jnmatthews9614]

Ball pythons are notorious bad eaters. As long he's Healthy don't worry about him not eating a few times. He'll eat when he wants to

But as a b? I understand a few times, but this is a continuous problem. Hes lost 30 grams. I can understand an adult but not as a baby. I've read losing more than 25% for any snake is bad. Sorry I'm just worried

[Willowy]

Don't try to feed him too often. That can put them off feed for some reason (probably stress related). Every 5 days at the most if he eats, if he refuses trying again after 3 days is OK. Or just wait until he looks like he's in a hunting mood, that has the best chance of success.

When he was eating before, did he like you to dance the mouse around or did he take it if you just left it lying there? Anyway, try both---make that mouse dance, lol! Use tongs and hold the mouse by the scruff of the neck, and make it look like it's running around the tank, then make it stop and "sniff" inside his hide. That's when my guys always strike! And then if he doesn't strike just leave it there, cover the tank, and don't peek again until morning. Make sure the mouse is good and warm, especially around the head---running a hair dryer on it is one good way.

Oh, and no more handling. BPs don't need UVB exposure, and some snakes are stressed by being handled every day. Hands off until he eats at least 3 times!

[Willowy]

Oh, and I agree that amount of weight loss is very concerning, especially in a baby. Any more than a 10% loss is bad news. If he loses anymore weight you might look into assist feeding. But since he did eat a few days ago, I wouldn't try it yet.